Courts Clerk Job Up In Air Chiles Fails To Name Dunkle`s Successor

Two months after Palm Beach County Clerk of Courts John Dunkle called it quits, he is still waiting for Gov. Lawton Chiles to name his successor.

Dunkle, who has served 33 years as clerk, tendered his resignation to Chiles, effective Dec. 31.

``I was hoping we would have a little more time to work on a transition,`` said Dunkle, who might work past the end of the year. ``I would stay here until the governor appoints a successor.``

Officials in the governor`s office said a decision could be made any day. They said the governor has wanted to review the surveys filled out by the four people who have applied for the position.

Dunkle recommended Milton Bauer, his chief deputy clerk of administration, to succeed him until elections are held in November. Bauer has applied for the interim position but has said he is not interested in running for the office.

Two other applicants are announced candidates: former County Commissioner Dorothy Wilken and Assistant County Administrator Vince Bonvento.

Bonvento, who switched to the Republican Party this year in anticipation of the race, said his decision hurt his chances of being selected by Chiles, a Democrat.

But Bonvento said Chiles has had plenty of time to make a choice.

``In order to provide for a smooth transition, it would have been appropriate for the appointment to be made at least two weeks prior to Mr. Dunkle`s departure,`` Bonvento said. ``For a multimillion-dollar operation to have an abrupt change of leadership like that is not what I would consider the best planning.``

Wilken, a Democrat, said the current employees can do a fine job until the governor announces his decision.

``I doubt that there would be any interruption of service at all,`` Wilken said.

``It`s just typical Lawton. His appointments have been slow and careful,`` Wilken said of Chiles. ``I don`t try to explain him. He just does what he wants to do.``

The last applicant is Louis Eassa, a former School Board member who works for Insurance Commissioner Tom Gallagher. With the recent special session of the state Legislature and the state`s fiscal problems, he is not surprised at Chiles` delay.